A Waukegan man who allegedly told police he wanted to join ISIS has pleaded guilty to weapons charges and was sentenced to 18 months probation.
Hakeem Shaifer will also be required to undergo a mental health evaluation and treatment.
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Shaifer, of the 100 block of Drew Lane in Waukegan, pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor charges of illegal possession of ammunition and unlawful use of a “blackjack” knife. Additional weapons and a marijuana possession charge were dismissed.
The plea deal, approved by Judge Helen Rozenberg, also prohibits Shaifer from driving, possessing weapons, consuming alcohol and drugs and entering bars.
If Shaifer complies with all the terms of his probation he won’t have to serve a 180-day jail sentence. He was given credit for 23 days already spent in Lake County Jail.
State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim said Monday that an investigation uncovered no indication Shaifer was a terrorist threat. Even though the charges against Shaifer are misdemeanors, Nerheim said the state insisted that mental health treatment be included in any negotiated resolution.
Shaifer has already been evaluated since being taken into custody, and will be required to undergo a follow-up evaluation in addition to treatment, Nerheim said.
Shaifer, 38, arrived for a Dec. 21 court hearing in Lake County Circuit Court wearing a bulletproof vest, then left the courtroom when approached by deputies asking about the vest, authorities said. A deputy later overheard Shaifer making a comment that he owned automatic weapons, according to authorities.
A subsequent court-ordered search of his home uncovered ammunition, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to the Lake County sheriff’s office.
He was charged with several counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, not having a Firearm Owners Identification Card, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.
Shaifer’s Dec. 21 hearing was related to an arrest by the Lake Forest Police Department. While in Lake Forest custody, he allegedly told officers that he was joining the terrorist group ISIS, authorities said.
Lake Forest police initially arrested Shaifer Nov. 28 on Route 41 near Route 60. Brass knuckles and pistol ammunition were found in his car, police said. He was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and released on a $1,500 bond.
After Shaifer left the Dec. 21 hearing, Judge George Strickland issued an arrest warrant for Shaifer’s alleged violations of court orders involving the Lake Forest case, said Det. Christopher Covelli, a sheriff’s office spokesman.
Before the plea deal, officials expressed concern about the motivation behind Shaifer’s behavior and alleged comments.
“This conduct is certainly bizarre,” Nerheim said.
A mental health evaluation was requested to help both the investigation into the incidents and court proceedings, Nerheim said.
“Based on his behavior and his comments in custody, we would support the need to determine if he has mental health issues,” Undersheriff Ray Rose said. “Either way, there are issues that need to be addressed because we have concerns about the safety of the public.”
Covelli said an investigation found that Shaifer’s claim about joining ISIS was not credible.
The sheriff’s office worked with local police agencies and the FBI in investigating Shaifer, Undersheriff Ray Rose said.
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